Perfectionism Stifled by a Cheap Spiral Notebook

Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones is a new favorite. I slurped it down quicker than the cream-laden coffee nearby.

Simple advice, yes. But who knew a cheap spiral notebook would set me free?

“Think, too, about your notebook. It is important. This is your equipment, like hammer and nails to a carpenter. Sometimes people buy expensive hardcover journals. They are bulky and heavy, and because they are fancy, you are compelled to write something good. Instead you should feel that you have permission to write the worst junk in the world and it would be okay. Give yourself a lot of space in which to explore writing. A cheap spiral notebook lets you feel that you can fill it quickly and afford another.”

Bound pages, devoid of ink, line my bookshelves anticipating “just the right words” to one day be written upon them. How had I missed such an obvious sign of perfectionistic emptiness? So freeing was this revelation that I immediately hopped in my car and headed to Target for…you guessed it, cheap spiral notebooks.

A different color notebook for each genre now awaits my writing time each day. It’s amazing how one simple change can be so freeing.

Perfectionism, whether it be in the sphere of writing, organization, appearance, or a particular skill can stifle God’s best for us. A cheap spiral notebook may not be everyone’s answer to stifling perfectionism, but pinpointing our area of vulnerability is the first step in making that one change that may just set us free.

Oh! May I add to this wonderful posting? I ALWAYS use spiral bound, and I always buy them in a "theme"…At Staples I buy their 99 cent notebooks all in the same color, or I go to Walmart and buy their decorted notebooks..for example, they have a wooded theme, and they have a spiral theme in many sizes. The advantage is that I can show/tell Significant Others to NOT touch or move my themed books. The family recognizes them instantly despite their different sizes, due to either color or theme. Nothing is more annoying than stopping at a redlight and reaching to write down a thought just to find your notebook has been taken! But, if it's recognized as mom's theme book, it's left alone! LOL Thanks Cathy!

I love these! and shop back to school sales and they are like 10c each! My little artist has a ton of these because he so loves to draw and it's an added bonus for me because it means less pieces of paper EVERYWHERE. I love spiral notebooks and you're right, they are great for writing what ever you want. I doodle and write all over mine 🙂

Yes! Writers need spiral notebooks:) Well written blog w/plenty of application(s) to writing and life! I have so many spiral notebooks of journaling, big thick ones, that I store in clear tubs by the year(s). Why do I journal? Helps me keep track of my life and my mom was a journaler, encouraged me to do the same. Started in my early 30's :o) I have most of my mom journals and LOVE to read them:) She wrote 2 books about her family history, complete w/lots of pics, hard bound, and published by ?… What a legacy she left us! Saw our youngest son reading one of her books last night before he went to bed, he couldn't put it down:) <3

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